Postgraduate Research Assistant

Location: John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU 

We are seeking a highly motivated Postgraduate Research Assistant with expertise and interest in developing cures for inherited cardiomyopathies using advanced genetic therapies to join the CureHeart (https://cureheart.org/) team at the University of Oxford. CureHeart is an Oxford-led international research programme aiming to develop cures for inherited cardiomyopathies using advanced genetic therapies.

As Postgraduate Research Assistant, you will be directly involved in the day-to-day culture and maintenance of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), differentiation of iPSCs into cardiomyocytes in 2D and 3D experimental formats. The post will involve developing oligonucleotide based therapies and a variety of other cellular and sequencing experiments and will also involve analysing data from experiments, and presenting the findings at internal group meetings. The post offers a unique opportunity to develop a skill set in the field of RNA based therapies in iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, with opportunities for networking and collaboration with international research groups.

You will hold a BSc 2:1 or higher in a relevant discipline (i.e., Developmental, Molecular and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or Natural Sciences), alongside having experience in cell culture, PCR, qPCR, and DNA and RNA extraction. Experience in the culture of iPSC and their differentiation into cardiomyocytes or other cell types, along with experience in next generation sequencing library preparation or analysis will be an advantage.

This is a full-time appointment on a fixed-term contract to 9 November 2028, and you will be based at the West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online; you will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement which explains how you meet the selection criteria for the post.

Only applications received before 12:00 midday on 16th September 2026 can be considered.

Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 28th September 2026. 

For informal enquiries about the position, please contact Dr Alex Sparrow – alexander.sparrow@cardiov.ox.ac.uk

The University of Oxford offers a comprehensive range of competitive benefits available to all members of staff designed to support both professional and personal wellbeing (https://unioxfordnexus.sharepoint.com/sites/OXINTRANET-working-here/SitePages/staff-benefits.aspx). Benefits include:

• Generous family leave schemes, including maternity, paternity, adoption, and carers’ leave
• 38 days of annual leave, plus additional leave for continuous service
• Membership of a highly competitive pension scheme
• Oxford Living Wage assurance
• Annual cost-of-living reviews and automatic salary increments up to the top of the grade
• Extensive training and professional development opportunities
• Travel support schemes and a wide range of transport discounts, including bus, train, and bicycle travel

Committed to equality and valuing diversity

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

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